Hi..im at my wits end..can my daughter be released on licence to her own home to her wife and son..she is wheelchair bound has 24 hour care..convicted of internet sex crime very harsh sentence 20 months barrister appealing no previous .CS closed their case had no problems with son being at home with her even when guilty plea entered howver 14 yr old son is not allowed to visit write or receive phone calls. Was on bail for 20 months..I am her main carer..prison finding it difficult to look after her

Welcome to the board and thanks for your post. Although you are a grandmother your query relates to a parent’s situation so I will respond here rather than on our specialist Family and Friends Carers’ board.

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties that your family is currently experiencing.

I am afraid that we cannot provide specific advice on the issue of your daughter’s release on licence as this is not a topic that we cover.

However you will find a range of relevant and useful information from the following organisations:

2. The Stop It Now website. This contains information about how the criminal justice system works in relation to internet offending and has specific information on licences and the implications of being on the Sex Offenders’ Register which are likely to apply to your daughter.

You don’t mention if your daughter is undertaking any programme or treatment at the moment and if she is not it would be a good idea for her to try to find out what is available as this can show that she is making positive changes.

Your daughter’s Probation Officer will be responsible for supervising her when she is released on licence and this will include approving where she will live. Probation will refer to Children’s Services to alert them to your daughter’s expected release date and they will want to ensure that any arrangements put in place will be safe and suitable for her child. Licence conditions can include restrictions on contact with children.

From what you say, children’s services assessed it to be safe for your grandson to remain at home with his mother prior to her conviction yet he is not allowed any contact whilst she is in prison, perhaps this is decided by the prison authorities? It is hard to comment on this but I am guessing that there must have been adequate supervision and protective factors in place at home.

Now that your daughter has been convicted children’s services would need to take account of this in their assessment and make sure that there are safe plans in place for her son when she is released. Your daughter could contact the social worker to enquire about what is likely to happen but any conditions on her licence will be crucial and decisions will be based on the identified risks and family’s circumstances.

Your daughter’s situation in prison sounds very difficult as she clearly has a high level of needs which you explain the prison is struggling to meet. Again this is not an area that we advise on but the Offenders’ Families website explains how to go about getting a community care assessment by adult social care services for a person in prison. I hope this will help you. Your daughter may also need a new community care assessment from her local adult social care services when she is released.

I hope that this helps. If you have any new queries about children’s services’ involvement do post again or ring to speak to an adviser on our Freephone helpline 08080 801 0366 Mon- Fri 9.30 – 3.00 pm.

Thankyou for that..she is not getting anything offered in prison apart from mental health to help with her medical condition which makes her depressed..prison have just sent one letter back saying I cannot send any information about her son.this I find to be cruel..hes her son not bioligical but her son all the same..are his needs not taken into account its affecting his mental health..is there anyway the level 1 child contact restrictions can be appealed...I just dont understand..only one letter has been returned 99% she has receivec..I just dont understand

Suzie..probation have told daughter that she will not be able to go home and only have supervised visits to her son..probation want to come to interview me and my husband to assess our house.what worries me is other grandchildren visit but daughter would never be alone with them..what do I say to probation..I want my daughter with me no matter what the cost

Probation want to check the suitability of your home as part of your daughter’s license.
You should let them know that your other grandchildren visit you at home and discuss how they can be supervised. If probation do not want your grandchildren to visit you at home, can you see them elsewhere?
If probation approve the arrangement, then children services are likely to want to assess your ability to protect your grandchildren from your daughter.
As I do not have the knowledge to advise you about probation, you could contact the Offenders Families helpline on 0808 808 2003 for advice.

Thanks suzie..grandchildren come to go to school then come after school..previously childrens services had no problem as daughter lived with us and we were always there to supervise..so signed the case off prior to sentence ...however probation have said as long as children are not there over 12 hours that may be acceptable..will just have to see what they say when they visit...all so odd for me